HOW TO CHECK APPLE MFI CERTIFIED LIGHTNING CABLE?

by Waseem S on November 19, 2022

In this article, we will discuss an MFI certificate and how to check whether the product is an MFI-certified Lightning cable. As we all know, Apple is the only company using lightning cables for their devices. And indeed, the production of these lightning cables is not only in the hands of Apple. So there may be numerous fake lightning cables available in the market that can harm your expensive devices in multiple ways. To avoid this kind of problem, one needs to buy lightning cables that are MFI-certified. These MFI-certified cables are quick and entirely safe for your expensive gadget.

 

What is an MFI certificate Lightning Cable?

MFI CERTIFIED LIGHTNING CABLE

Apple is known for its built quality and for providing better reliable products. So if Apple allows other manufacturers to produce lightning cables for their devices, It won't let them ruin their reputation. Also, numerous fake lightning cable producers in the market can harm Apple's name. So to conquer this, Apple has introduced its MFI certification program. MFI stands for "Made for iPhones", "Made for iPad", etc. Apple gives this certification to companies that produce the preferred quality lightning cables.

So it's better to look for an MFI certification while purchasing a lightning cable.

 

How to check whether the product is MFI certified? 

There are, in total, four ways to know whether the device is MFI certified or not. 

 

MFI certification Database

The first and most reliable way to know whether the lightning cable you are willing to buy is MFI certified is to check on MFI's database. This database contains the list of brands or products officially licensed to sell the lightning cable by Apple. To check the certification, visit https://mfi.apple.com/account/accessory-search and search by either brand name or UPC, i.e. Universal Product Code. 

 

Check the packaging label.

Another way to verify an MFI-certified lightning cable is to check the packaging label or the USB cable. Apple also recommends this method to check about MFI certification. Now the question is what to see. You need to check the written statement on the label, or the cable itself, which will read "Designed for Apple in California Assembled in China/Vietnam" followed by 12-digit numbers. If you find it, it is confirmed that it is MFI certified lightning cable. 

 

Lightning Cable Tester 

MFI CERTIFIED CABLE

The most professional way of checking the MFI certification of the cable you are using is to check through the lightning cable tester. It gives according to the set standards which can be there in the MFI-certified lightning cable. Suppose the chip used in the lightning cable you are using is inferior to the standard chip tester will deduct 2 points from the overall 100 points, and so on. 

The lightning cable tester examines the cable date, the Red sign E, the legitimacy of the chip, the modifications to the chip, and the serial number of the chip. The steps you need to follow to check through the tester are:

  1. Connect the lightning cable tester
  2. Attach the lightning cable to it
  3. Don't connect the other end of the lightning cable to anything
  4. Now, after examining the lightning cable tester will show its voltage.

If the voltage shown is less than 4.94V, then the lightning cable is not legitimate. It would be best if you replaced it with the MFI-certified one, or it will harm your gadget.

 

Verify the design of the cable

MFI CERTIFIED

There are a few minor adjustments to the cable's architecture as well. 

1)The MFi-approved USB, for example, has a smooth surface with gold-plated connections. On the other hand, fake and counterfeit USBs have a rougher surface with silver-plated contacts. 

 2)The size discrepancy is more evident; if the measurements of your Apple charger boot aren't 7.7mm x 12mm, you've got a fake. 

 3) Apple-branded USB cables are always constructed with a metallic faceplate insert. On the other hand, fake and counterfeit wires are often white or black.

 4)On Apple's MFI-certified lightning cables, the USB connection interlocks are trapezoidal, whereas fraudulent cables have more rectangular interlocks. The two interlocks are also evenly placed from both ends of the USB connection, which counterfeit ones do not have.

 5)Finally, the surface of the USB connector's insulator is flat and homogeneous. The connection on counterfeit cables will feature notches and indents every 2-3 millimetres.

 

Conclusion

As we all know how expensive Apple devices are, we don't want anything that harms it. So instead of opting for any counterfeit cable which can cause harm, one must consider the lightning cable, which is MFI certified by Apple. You can verify by trying these four ways that the cable you buy is genuine. 

BACK TO TOP